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Welcome to the Clay & Company Blog

Clay & Company is a Houston-based commercial real estate brokerage, investment, and auction company serving the needs of governmental agencies, financial institutions, insurance companies, and individuals 
throughout the State of T
exas.

Our regularly updated blog covers local and national news, events, and happenings affecting Texas and the commercial real estate industry.

Helping Oklahoma

Oklahoma-victim-helpOn May 20, 2013 Moore, Oklahoma and surrounding cities were hit by an EF-5 tornado. Below are ways to help in the aftermath of the storm:

Two Houston bloggers are collecting supplies this week and driving up to Oklahoma Monday for Memorial Day. Tiffany from MyLitter.com and Paul fromIHeartTheMart.com are collecting donations at The Woodlands Christian Church (1202 N. Millbend Dr., The Woodlands, 77380) 9 am – 4 pm all week and Saturday and Sunday. Tiffany and Paul said the goal is to sustain people until the insurance money starts coming in. Some donation suggestions include: bottled water, hygiene items, like-new clean clothes, baby wipes, formula and diapers, towels.

DonorsChoose.org is a 501(c)3 charity that helps public school teachers rebuild after disasters. Two schools were completely destroyed in the recent tornados and more have been affected. When teachers in Moore are ready, DonorsChoose.org will help them create classroom recovery projects for critical supplies such as clothing, food, books, therapy resources and classroom furniture.

The Central Oklahoma Humane Society is currently working with local authorities and the City of Oklahoma City to treat, house, and reunite lost pets with their owners. Their greatest need is medical supplies and financial donations to help treat and house lost and injured animals. Donations can be made online here and should be designated for the “OK Humane Disaster Relief Fund.” Additionally, you can visit their Instagram and Facebook for more photos and updates.

The American Red Cross has set up shelters in various communities. You can donate by going to their website or you can make a $10 donation to the Red Cross Disaster Relief fund via text message by texting the word REDCROSS to 90999.The organization also suggests giving blood at your local hospital or blood bank.

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The Eighth Wonder of the World

On our Facebook page this week we posted about this article on Culturemap that summarizes Ryan Slattery’s proposal for the Astrodome. A graduate student at the University of Houston, he submitted the plans for his School of Architecture Master’s Thesis.

His plan is to reduce the Astrodome to its metal frame and create green space beneath it for use for tailgating, the Livestock show or green space for sports. Even Mayor Parker mentioned its genius and tweeted about it.

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According to KHOU, the public could end up voting on the fate of the Astrodome in November since all of the ideas would require a bond issue meaning voters will have their say. The last week in June the sports and convention corporation will present its ideas to the commissioner’s court.

Image from KHOU Astrodome Pinterest Page

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Clay & Co Associates Receive Honorable Mention for Commercial Transaction of the Year

Congratulations to Timothy Clay, Amy Silvey, & Kevin Dalrymple of Clay & Company who received Honorable Mention for the William C. Jennings Commercial Transaction of the Year from the Texas Association of REALTORS®. See the write up in the March issue of Texas Realtor Magazine.

Over 2011 and 2012, Clay & Company partnered with Lonestar Construction to locate key sites in the Greater Houston area, procure construction financing, and design and begin construction on three facilities for three different triple-net lease tenants. The $12,154,795 project included three properties in three different counties, 136,286 square feet and 16.5 acres; three triple-net leases; three tenants, three lenders, two different partnerships, and nineteen individual partners.

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What we are reading this week…

Costar.com says investor confidence in private real estate funds is returning and private equity funds are seeing a surge. The improvement in the performance of private real estate has encouraged some institutions to return to the asset class, while an increase in the rate of distributions from their existing commitments means that many investors also have more capital available to invest. See the full article here.

We love this article in The Wall Street Journal on taking a trip to Houston. In honor of the NBA All-Star game and the upcoming Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, the WSJ tells you how to spend a long weekend in Houston and they hit all the right spots.

Kevin Dalrymple, CCIM, was promoted to Vice President at the first of this year. Read more about what he does at Clay & Co in the Houston Business Journal.

We attended Bisnow’s Summit on the future of Highway 290. Here is a recap of what was said about the growth of the 290 corridor.

Our new listing, a retail center in the hill country off Lake Travis, has a dreaming of hot summer days at the lake.

Chocolate covered pickles? Fried beef jerky? Pulled pork sundae? Deep fried fruity pebbles? What foods are you most excited (or scared) to try at this year’s Rodeo carnival?

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New Listing: Lake Travis Retail Center

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Analyzing Houston’s Industrial Market

Paul Bettencourt, CEO, Bettencourt Tax Advisors, shares the following:

Houston’s Industrial Sector, has seen an 11.8% drop to 5.2% in Vacancy Rates from Q311 to Q312, even though there were 26 projects (1.8 mill SF) completed in 3Q12 and 3.8 mill SF currently under construction.

The January 2013 edition of REDNews includes these notes & predictions from the Boyar Miller Breakfast Forum:

• Industrial supply is trailing demand

• 5.3%industrialvacancyoverall

• Katy is next boom area for industrial demand

• Houston is finally recognized as an important international gateway 
city, and institutional investors “need” to have us in their portfolios

• Cap rates for investment sales in the industrial arena are in 
the 6-8.5% range

• Baytown area/Ameriport is getting a lot of attention

• Lots of design/build coming out of the ground fast to meet 
immediate demand

• Energy industry is driving industrial expansion-also foreign trade 
and healthcare

• Panama Canal expansion lagging-maybe be a year late opening-count 
on 2015

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Barton Kelly awarded Urban Land Institute Scholarship

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Endeavour

Did you get to see shuttle Endeavor today? Barton Kelly in our office snapped this photo this morning.

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Chron.com: Houston buyers scramble as home supply shrinks

Houston’s housing inventory hasn’t been this low in five years and homes sales jumped 27% in July. As the Houston-area housing market gets stronger, some home shoppers are going to new lengths to get what they want. See article on chron.com.

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Highlighting Hermann Park

Hermann Park was ranked the fifth best park in the nation by Homes.com. With this accolade we decided to highlight Houston’s 445-acre park and all it’s attractions.

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Buddy Carruth Playground for All Children – Most equipment at the playground is handicap accessible, and the interactive water playground is a hit with kids in hot weather.

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Hermann Park Golf Course – Redesigned in 1997 by Carlton Gibson, this 18-hole challenge is one of Houston’s oldest and most popular municipal courses.

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Hermann Park Jogging Trail/Marvin Taylor Exercise Trail – Walk, run, or jog under the shade of mature Live Oak trees along this roughly two mile path through the Park.The trail is named for Marvin Taylor, a community leader who helped organize runners and neighbors to clean up Hermann Park.

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Hermann Park Railroad – The Hermann Park Railroad has been entertaining visitors for over 50 years! Recently expanded, the ride takes visitors on a scenic tour throughout the Park.

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Houston Museum of Natural Science – This science museum is the nation’s fourth most highly attended museum in the country. Enjoy the Wortham IMAX Theater, Cockrell Butterfly Center, the Burke-Baker Planetarium, or one of the permanent exhibits.

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Houston Zoo – Set in a 55-acre lush tropical landscape, Houston Zoo is home to more than 4,500 exotic animals representing more than 800 species.

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Japanese Garden – With its waterfalls, bridges, and stone paths that wander among crepe myrtles, azaleas, Japanese maples, dogwoods, and cherry trees, the Japanese Garden is a peaceful hideaway in the Park.

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Mary Gibbs and Jesse H. Jones Reflection Pool – One of the most prominent features of Hermann Park, the pool measures 740 feet long and 80 feet wide, and displays sculpted stone edges, a black bottom for maximum reflection, and a “white water” cascade. Both sides of the Pool are flanked by beautiful allees of mature Live Oak trees.


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McGovern Lake – The 8-acre lake includes three islands, including two islands for migratory birds. Catch-and-release fishing is available for children under 12 and senior citizens over 65 at Bob’s Fishing Pier. Pedal boats available for rental in Lake Plaza.

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Miller Outdoor Theatre – Miller Outdoor Theatre offers the most diverse season of professional entertainment of any Houston performance venue, and it’s free! Relax in the covered seating area or enjoy a pre-performance picnic on the hillside. All performances at Miller are family-friendly.

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Sam Houston Statue – The bronze equestrian statue of Sam Houston stands at the front the landscaped traffic circle. The statue by sculptor Enrico F. Cerracchio has been an iconic symbol of Houston since 1925.

Image Sources: 1, 23, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

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